Stavros Niarchos - Shipowner
Stavros Niarchos was a shipowner, businessman, art collector and founder of the Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF). He was born on July 3rd, 1909, in Piraeus. He was the son of Spyros Niarchos (oil trader) and Eugenia Koumandarou (Stavros Koumandaros’- flour industrialist who maintained the "Evrotas" flour mill in Piraeus – daughter). On his father's side, he came from the mountain village of Vamvakou in Laconia. Stavros Niarchos graduated from the Varvakeio School and studied law at the University of Athens but became involved in the family flour mill business, quickly distinguishing himself for his administrative skills. During that time, he bought, through the family company, six cargo ships for $ 120,000.
In 1939, he founded the Niarchos Group with two oil tankers and five cargo ships. During World War II, he took part in the military operations carried out in Normandy and was honoured with the "Grand Cross of the Order of the Phoenix", the "Brigadier General of George’s I Order ", and the "Brigadier General of Georgios and Konstantinos’ Order ".
Stavros Niarchos was one of the most significant shipowners in the world. He acquired a large fortune mainly through oil transportation. For many years he owned the biggest private fleet in the world. In fact, he was named "The Golden Greek", while in 1956, he was photographed for the "Times" Magazine cover the cover of the magazine with his tankers in the background (issue of August 6th). At the same time, he bought Spetsopoula (island) in the Saronic Gulf. According to the “Fortune” magazine list, Stavros Niarchos was among the 100 wealthiest people in the world. In 1955, he made the principal investment for the creation of the Aspropyrgos Refineries (which were nationalised in 1976), while in 1958, he founded the Skaramagas shipyards (which in 1985 became part of the Greek state).
The Stavros Niarchos’ collection of works of art was, internationally, one of the most important and, according to experts, cost more than 1 billion dollars. In 1957, he bought the entire collection of famous American actor Edward G. Robinson, which included 58 works by Impressionist and post-Impressionist painters, for $ 6 million. Among the works in his collection, a very accurate self-portrait of Pablo Picasso of 1901, which belongs to the artist’s blue period, stands out. Later, his son Philip completed his collection with works such as Red Marilyn and Green Car Crash by Andy Warhol.
Stavros Niarchos passed away on April 15th, 1996, in Zurich, leaving much of his fortune to the Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF). In February 2017, with an exclusive donation from the Foundation, the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Centre (SNFCC) was handed over to the citizens. It is a public space with free access and public participation in several cultural, educational, sports, environmental and recreational events and activities. The Cultural Centre includes the facilities of the National Library of Greece and the National Opera, as well as the Stavros Niarchos Park, one of the most significant green spots in Athens, covering an area of 210 acres.